Street vendors to hold mega convention in Raichur on June 6

Street vendors from across the Kalyana Karnataka region will hold a mega convention in Raichur on June 6 to press the State government for long-pending demands relating to their livelihood, welfare and legal rights.

Addressing a joint press conference in the city on Saturday, Yesumitra, association president of the Raichur district unit, and Ateeq Patel, State working president KPCC Street Vendors’ Cell, Bengaluru Division, said the convention aimed to bring the concerns of street vendors to the attention of the government and seek concrete measures for their welfare.

The convention, organised by the Kalyana Karnataka Street Vendors’ Association, will focus on 10 key demands, including the development of dedicated vending zones with basic amenities such as shelters, drinking water, toilets, electricity and waste disposal facilities in urban centres.

Mr. Yesumitra sought exclusive allotment of vending zones to street vendors and effective implementation of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014. He also demanded the constitution of Town Vending Committees in all urban local bodies and mandatory training on the provisions of the Act for civic officials.

Other demands included a monthly pension of ₹3,000 for street vendors aged above 55, free education for their children in government and private English medium schools, and reservation of space for vending zones in newly developed layouts and urban expansion projects.

He also urged the government to earmark 3% of the budgets of urban local bodies for the welfare of street vendors and ensure that vendors are not evicted or relocated without being provided with suitable alternative arrangements.

Mr. Patel said the demands were intended to strengthen livelihood security and ensure dignity and social protection for street vendors. He expressed hope that the government would respond positively to the issues raised by the association.

Ministers from the Kalyana Karnataka region are expected to participate in the convention.